Currency

The currency used in Spain is the Euro (€). To check the exchange rate with any foreign currency, you can use this converter: http://www.xe.com/es/. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or exchange houses at the airport or the city. Exchange houses usually open longer than banks but offer different rates and often charge commissions.

Bank Cards

Debit or credit cards of Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus and Amex are accepted in most places. They can be used in hotels, restaurants and shops. American Express cards are accepted only in some establishments. They can also be used at ATMs which indicate so.

Electricity

In Spain the voltage is 220-250 V. Plugs used have two round rods.

Phone

The international dial code for Spain is + 34.

Climate

September is an excellent month to visit Granada. The average temperature is between 27ºC and 21º C during those dates.

For a forecast of temperatures and precipitation you can consult the AEMET (State Meteorological Agency): http://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/horas/granada-id18087

Languages

The official language is Spanish, but it is usual to speak languages ​​such as English, German or French in spaces related to tourism.

Transporte Local

You can move around Granada by public transport (urban buses or Metro Ligero) or by foot.

Urban buses: A single ticket (1 trip) costs € 1.40. This ticket will give you the possibility of transferring for 60 minutes provided it is between different bus lines. It can be purchased from the driver or at vending machines. The night bus costs € 1.50.

More information on bus lines, maps and other bus passes (5 or 10 days) can be found here: http://www.movilidadgranada.com/busurbano_index.php

Metro Ligero: It is a peculiar and different way of traveling the city from north to south, similar to a tram. A single ticket costs 1,35. Metro Ligero offers a tourist pass too: a 1-day tourist card (per person), with unlimited travel costs 4,50.

For more information, visit: http://www.granadadirect.com/transporte/metro-granada-planos/

Car Rental

Several car rental companies will be available both at the Airport (4 companies) and at the Train Station (2 companies), and many others spread around the city. Keep in mind that traffic in the city of Granada is often not very fluid. You can use parking spaces near the venue of the Conference (costs vary). Some practical tips related to car rental can be found here (in Spanish): http://www.granadadirect.com/transporte/alquiler-vehiculos-granada/#consejos

Usual Timetables

The usual time for breakfast is from 08:00 to 10:00 in the morning. Lunch is often served in restaurants between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 9:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Some establishments offer continuous service throughout the day. It is very common, and more so during the summer, to find people in the street or on the terraces until late at night.

Business Opening Hours

Commercial hours in Granada usually go from 09:00 h. or 10:00 until 8:00 p.m. or 22:00 h., although there is some flexibility. The most usual business hours are from Monday to Saturday, from 09:30 to 13:30 and from 16:30 to 20:00. Big shopping centers usually have a continuous schedule (10:00 to 21:00 or 22:00 p.m). Banks usually close at 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. and do not open in the afternoon.

Tipping

There is no tradition that requires leaving a tip percentage when paying the bill in bars or restaurants. Tipping is optional and it is the client who decides how much he or she would like to contribute.

Other Details

It can also be useful to know that in Granada you can drink water directly from the tap.

Hospitals

In terms of health, you must take into account that to travel to Spain there is no mandatory vaccine or recommendations on food. Medicines can be purchased at any local pharmacy, although some will be subject to prior medical prescription.

In terms of medicalcare, the Spanish National health system has a wide network of Primary Health care centres, as well as an Emergency Services in hospitals and certain primary health centres.

You can consult a full list of hospitals and primary health centres in Granada here: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesalud/centros/Resultados.asp

If you come from a member state of the European Union, you will have free acess to healthcare services. It is highly advisable to carry a valid European Health Card with you. You can find out about the Card here: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en. If you are from a country outside the European Union, you will be entitled to medical care, although you may have to pay the amount of the service or request reimbursement from your health insurance. We highly recommend you consult with a medical or travel insurance provider that can cover your stay in Granada.

In the city of Granada you will find the following hospitals open 24 hours:

  • Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves. Hospital General: Avenida de las Fuerzas Armadas nº 2. Teléfono: 952 08 00 00
  • Hospital Materno Infantil Virgen de las Nieves, Centro de Consultas Externas Licinio de la Fuente: Avenida de las Fuerzas Armadas nº2 Tlf.: 958 02 00 43
  • Hospital Clínico Universitario San Cecilio: Avenida Doctor Oloriz nº16. Tlf.: 958 02 30 00
  • Hospital de San Rafael: C/San Juan de Dios nº19. Este último no es público. Tfnº:958 27 57 00
  • Hospital de Rehabilitación y Traumatología, Centro Periférico de Especialidades de Cartuja: Carretera de Jaén, s/n
  • Hospital Campus de la Salud): Avenida de la Innovación, s/n Tlf.: 958 02 18 50

The Primary Health care centres closest to the place where the Conference will be held are:

  • Parque Nueva Granada, en la calle Matilde de La Torre nº 10.
  • Centro de Salud Cartuja que se encuentra en C/ Casería del cerro, s/n.
  • Centro de Salud Dr. Salvador Caballero-UGC Salvador Caballero, que se encuentra en la C/ Doctor Azpitarte, nº6. 

Security

For Emergencies you would need to phone 112, for National Police phone 091 and for Local Police phone 092.

The Local Police of Granada is located at Calle Huerta del Rasillo s/n, ZIP 18004. Theor phone numbers are 958 248211 or 958 206878, and opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The National Police of Granada is located at Plaza de los Campos nº3, ZIP 18009 and its phone number is 958 808800.